Information processing device, program, and information processing method

ABSTRACT

An information processing device, a program, and an information processing method are provided, capable of instructing an imaging device to start and end a predetermined operation through an operation via a GUI. The information processing device includes: a display control unit configured to control display of a slider on a display unit, the slider being configured such that a display object is movable between predetermined positions; and a process control unit configured to instruct an imaging unit to control photography in a predetermined mode when the process control unit receives an operation of moving the display object.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, aprogram, and an information processing method.

BACKGROUND ART

Some devices such as digital still cameras or digital video cameras(hereinafter generally referred to as “digital cameras” in some cases)can connect to information processing terminals such as smartphones viawireless networks. As a communication standard for connecting differentdevices via wireless networks in this way, for example, wirelessfidelity (Wi-Fi) (registered trademark) can be exemplified.

In addition, in recent years, functions of operating imaging devicessuch as digital cameras via information processing terminals areprovided by connecting the imaging devices to the information processingterminals via networks. Some of the imaging devices in which input andoutput interfaces installed in the imaging devices are restricted (forexample, simplified or excluded) have been provided on the premise thatinformation processing terminals connected via networks are used as mainuser interfaces (UIs) because such functions are provided.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2009-25582A

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In imaging devices such as digital cameras, start and end of apredetermination operation are controlled in some cases in accordancewith a state in which a shutter button is pushed halfway (a so-calledhalf-push state), a state in which the shutter button is pushed fully (aso-called full-push state), and a state in which the shutter button isnot pushed.

For example, when a plurality of still images are captured while anautofocus (AF) function (a case of so-called continuous shoot) isoperated, an imaging device starts capturing, that is, continuous shoot,of images by operating the AF function in the half-push state andtransitioning to the full-push state. Then, the imaging device continuesthe started continuous shoot as long as the full-push state ismaintained, and ends the continued continuous shoot with cancellation ofthe full-push state, that is, transition to the state in which theshutter button is not pushed.

On the other hand, when an imaging device is operated via an informationprocessing terminal, an interface such as a touch panel of theinformation processing terminal is used as a UI for operating theimaging device in some cases without being limited to a so-called buttontype interface such as a shutter button. Therefore, even in an operationvia a graphical user interface (GUI), such as an operation via a touchpanel, there is a request for a structure in which start and end of apredetermined operation (for example, continuous shoot) on an imagingdevice can be instructed through an intuitive operation as in theabove-described operation via the shutter button.

Accordingly, the present disclosure proposes an information processingdevice, a program, and an information processing method capable ofinstructing an imaging device to start and end a predetermined operationthrough an operation via a GUI.

Solution to Problem

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an informationprocessing device including: a display control unit configured tocontrol display of a slider on a display unit, the slider beingconfigured such that a display object is movable between predeterminedpositions; and a process control unit configured to instruct an imagingunit to control photography in a predetermined mode when the processcontrol unit receives an operation of moving the display object.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a program causinga computer to execute: controlling display of a slider on a displayunit, the slider being configured such that a display object is movablebetween predetermined positions; and instructing an imaging unit tocontrol photography in a predetermined mode when an operation of movingthe display object is received.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an informationprocessing method including: controlling display of a slider on adisplay unit, the slider being configured such that a display object ismovable between predetermined positions; and instructing, by aprocessor, an imaging unit to control photography in a predeterminedmode when an operation of moving the display object is received.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present disclosure described above provides an informationprocessing device, a program, and an information processing methodcapable of instructing an imaging device to start and end apredetermined operation through an operation via a GUI.

Note that the effects described above are not necessarily limitative.With or in the place of the above effects, there may be achieved any oneof the effects described in this specification or other effects that maybe grasped from this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a schematicsystem configuration of an information processing system according to afirst embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an imagingdevice in which an input and output interface is restricted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of the information processing system according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configurationof an information processing terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operationscreen when one still image is captured while an AF function in animaging device is operated through an operation via a GUI.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operationmethod when one still image is captured while the AF function in theimaging device is operated through an operation via the GUI.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of theoperation screen for capturing a plurality of still images as a seriesof images while the AF function in the imaging device is operatedthrough an operation via the GUI.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operationmethod when a plurality of still images are captured as a series ofimages while the AF function in the imaging device is operated throughan operation via the GUI.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a displayposition of a slider in the operation screen.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of displaycontrol of the slider based on a user operation and an operation of theinformation processing terminal accompanied with the display control.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the displaycontrol of the slider based on the user operation and the operation ofthe information processing terminal accompanied with the displaycontrol.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the flow ofa series of processes of the information processing system according toa second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a slider according toExample 2-1.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the slider according toExample 2-1.

FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating an example of the slider according toExample 2-1.

FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating an example of the slider according toExample 2-1.

FIG. 15C is a diagram illustrating an example of the slider according toExample 2-1.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of anoperation of an information processing terminal according to Example2-2.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of anoperation of the information processing terminal according to Example2-2.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of aninformation processing system 1 according to a third embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the flow ofa series of processes of the information processing system according tothe third embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of aninformation processing system according to Example 3.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, (a) preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure willbe described in detail with reference to the appended drawings, in thisspecification and the appended drawings, structural elements that havesubstantially the same function and structure are denoted with the samereference numerals, and repeated explanation of these structuralelements is omitted.

Moreover, the description will be made in the following order.

-   1. First embodiment-   1.1. System configuration-   1.2. Functional configuration-   1.3. Hardware configuration-   1.4. Conclusion-   2. Second embodiment-   2.1. Overview-   2.2. Configuration of operation screen and operation method-   2.3. Process-   2.4. Examples-   2.4.1. Example 2-1: example of slider-   2.4.2. Example 2-2: cooperation with operation unit of imaging    device-   2.5. Conclusion-   3. Third embodiment-   3.1. Overview-   3.2. Process-   3.3. Example 3-   3.4. Conclusion-   4. Conclusion    <1. First Embodiment>    [1.1. System Configuration]

First, a schematic configuration of an information processing systemaccording to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagramillustrating an example of a schematic system configuration of aninformation processing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 accordingto the present embodiment includes an information processing terminal 10and an imaging device 30. The imaging device 30 is equivalent to adevice that captures an image such as a still image or a moving image,as in a so-called digital camera. In addition, the informationprocessing terminal 10 is equivalent to a user terminal, as in aso-called smartphone.

The information processing terminal 10 and the imaging device 30 areconnected to be able to communicate with each other via a wirelessnetwork n11. As a specific example of the network n11, a network basedon the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard can be exemplified. Forexample, when the network n11 based on the (registered trademark)standard is applied, one of the information processing terminal 10 andthe imaging device 30 operates as an access point and the other thereofis connected to the one thereof as a station.

In particular, the information processing terminal 10 according to thepresent embodiment is configured to be able to control an operation (forexample, an operation related to capturing of an image) of the imagingdevice 30 connected via the network n11. That is, the imaging device 30can capture an image such as a moving image or a still image based on aninstruction transmitted from the information processing terminal 10 viathe network n11. Moreover, the function can be realized, for example, byinstalling an application generated using an application programminginterface (API) that controls an operation of the imaging device 30 viathe network in the information processing terminal 10. Of course, anapplication that realizes the function may be embedded in advance in theinformation processing terminal 10.

Moreover, an example of a case in which the information processingterminal 10 is a smartphone will be described below. However, theinformation processing terminal 10 is not necessarily limited to asmartphone. As a specific example, a device which can be connected tothe imaging device 30 via a wireless network, as in a remote controller,may be applied as the information processing terminal 10.

With such a configuration, a device in which an input and outputinterface is restricted (for example, simplified or excluded) can beused as the imaging device 30. For example, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate anexample of the imaging device 30 in which an input and output interfaceis restricted, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, an output interfacesuch as a liquid crystal display is excluded from the imaging device 30and an operation interface is also restricted on the premise that theinformation processing terminal 10 is used as an interface for anoperation related to capturing of an image.

In addition, the imaging device 30 may be configured to be detachablymounted on the information processing terminal 10. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 2, as a specific example, an attachment fixing (orholding) the imaging device 30 to the information processing terminal 10is installed in the information processing terminal 10 or the imagingdevice 30 so that the imaging device 30 can be mounted on theinformation processing terminal 10.

In this way, when the imaging device 30 is mounted on the informationprocessing terminal 10, a user can use the imaging device 30 like aso-called digital camera in which an input and output interface is notrestricted.

In addition, as another example, the imaging device 30 and theinformation processing terminal 10 connected via the network n11 may beused in a mutually separated state (that is, a state in which theimaging device 30 is not mounted on the information processing terminal10). In this way, when the imaging device 30 and the informationprocessing terminal 10 are used in the mutually separated state, theimaging device 30 and the information processing terminal 10 can alsooperate without restriction on mutual physical positions.

Moreover, the example of the imaging device 30 illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2 is merely an example and the configuration of the imaging device30 according to the present embodiment is not necessarily limited. Thatis, for example, a general imaging device including an input and outputinterface such as a liquid crystal display may be used as the imagingdevice 30 as long as the device can communicate with the informationprocessing terminal 10 via the network n11.

[1.2. Functional Configuration]

Next, an example of a functional configuration of the informationprocessing system 1 according to the present embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagramillustrating an example of the functional configuration of theinformation processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the information processing terminal 10 includes acontrol unit 11, a communication unit 13, and a UI 15. In addition, theimaging device 30 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 33,an imaging unit 35, a storage unit 37, and an operation unit 39.

The communication unit 13 is a communication interface through whicheach configuration of the information processing terminal 10communicates with the imaging device 30 via the wireless network n11. Asa specific example of the network n11, as described above, a networkbased on the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard can be exemplified.

Moreover, hereinafter, when each configuration of the informationprocessing terminal 10 transmits and receives data to and from theimaging device 30 via the network n11, the data is assumed to hetransmitted and received via the communication unit 13 unless otherwisementioned.

The UI 15 is a user interface with which the user operates theinformation processing terminal 10. The UI 15 may include a display unit151 through which the information processing terminal 10 such as adisplay presents information to the user and an operation unit 153, suchas a button or a touch panel, through which the user operates theinformation processing terminal 10.

The control unit 11 is configured to be able to control an operation ofthe imaging device 30 connected via the network n11. The control unit 11includes a process execution unit 111 and a display control unit 113.

The process execution unit 111 controls an operation of the imagingdevice 30 by executing an application generated based on an API throughwhich the imaging device 30 is operated via the network n11 in responseto an instruction from the user via the operation unit 153. Moreover,the process execution unit 111 is equivalent to an example of a “processcontrol unit.”

The display control unit 113 causes the display unit 151 to display anoperation screen presented by a component (a graphical user interface(GUI)) through which the imaging device 30 is operated via the networkn11. In addition, the display control unit 113 acquires an imagecaptured by the imaging device 30 from the imaging device 30 via thenetwork n11 and causes the display unit 151 to display the acquiredimage. Moreover, in the display control unit 113, a configuration thatacquires an image from the imaging device 30 is equivalent to an exampleof an “acquisition unit.”

As a specific example, the control unit 11 may instruct the imagingdevice 30 to capture an image via the network n11 based on aninstruction from the user via the UI 15. In this case, the control unit11 may acquire captured images from the imaging device 30 via thenetwork n11 as a response to the instruction. In addition, the controlunit 11 may present an image acquired from the imaging device 30 to theuser via the UI 15.

In particular, the control unit 11 according to the present disclosuremay cause the imaging device 30 to capture a plurality of still imagesas a series of images, as in continuous photography (so-calledcontinuous shoot) or bracket photography Here, the bracket photographyrefers to a capturing method of capturing a plurality of still imageswhile changing imaging conditions such as exposure, white balance, andISO sensitivity. In addition, the control unit 11 according to thepresent disclosure may cause the imaging device 30 to capture a movingimage as a series of images.

Moreover, an operation screen which is presented to the user via thedisplay unit 151 in order for the control unit 11 to cause the imagingdevice 30 to capture a moving image or a plurality of still images as aseries of images will be described later in a second embodiment. Inaddition, an example of a method in which the control unit 11 presents aseries of images captured by the imaging device 30 to the user via thedisplay unit 151 will be described later in a third embodiment.

In addition, the control unit 11 may instruct the imaging device 30 tooutput a through image via the network n11 based on an instruction fromthe user via the UI 15. In this case, the control unit 11 sequentiallyacquires captured through images from the imaging device 30 via thenetwork n11 as a response to the instruction. Then, the control unit 11may sequentially present the acquired through images to the user via theUI 15.

In addition, the control unit 11 may refer to or update various kinds ofinformation retained in the imaging device 30 via the network n11. As aspecific example, the control unit 11 may acquire information indicatingvarious kinds of settings such as imaging conditions retained in theimaging device 30 from the imaging device 30 via the network n11 and maypresent the acquired information to the user via the UI 15. In addition,the control unit 11 may instruct the imaging device 30 to update theinformation indicating the various kinds of settings retained in theimaging device 30 via the network n11 based on an instruction from theuser via the UI 15.

The communication unit 33 is a communication interface through whicheach configuration of the imaging device 30 communicates with theinformation processing terminal 10 via the wireless network n11. As aspecific example of the network n11, as described above, a network basedon the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard can be exemplified.

Moreover, hereinafter, when each configuration of the imaging device 30transmits and receives data to and from the information processingterminal 10 via the network n11, the data is assumed to be transmittedand received via the communication unit 33 unless otherwise mentioned.

The imaging unit 35 includes an image sensor and captures an image suchas a still image or a moving image of a subject based on an instructionfrom the control unit 31 to be described below. The image sensor is, forexample, an imaging element such as complementary metal-oxidesemiconductor (CMOS) image sensor or a charge coupled device (CCD) imagesensor that images a subject and obtains digital data of the capturedimage. The imaging unit 35 may record the captured image on the storageunit 37. In addition, the imaging unit 35 may output the captured imagedirectly to the control unit 31.

In addition, the imaging unit 35 may capture an image based on imagingconditions instructed from the control unit 31. As specific examples ofthe imaging conditions, exposure based on a diaphragm or shutter speed,a magnification ratio such as an optical zoom or a digital zoom, ISOsensitivity, and white balance can be exemplified.

In addition, the imaging unit 35 may capture so-called through images(for example, decimated images) based on an instruction from the controlunit 31 and sequentially output the captured through images to thecontrol unit 31.

The storage unit 37 is a recording medium that records captured images.The storage unit 37 can be configured as a recording medium contained inthe imaging device 30. In addition, the storage unit 37 may beconfigured as an external recording medium which can be detachablymounted on the imaging device 30.

Moreover, in the example illustrated in FIG. 3, a configuration examplein which the imaging device 30 contains the imaging unit 35 isillustrated, but the imaging unit 35 may be installed outside of theimaging device 30. Similarly, in the example illustrated in FIG. 3, aconfiguration example in which the imaging device 30 contains thestorage unit 37 is illustrated, but the storage unit 37 may be installedoutside of the imaging device 30.

The operation unit 39 is configured so that the user can operate theimaging device 30. As a specific example of the operation unit 39, aninput device such as a button or a switch can be exemplified.

The control unit 31 is configured to be able to control an operation ofthe imaging unit 35 based on an instruction from a user via at least oneof the operation unit 39 and the information processing terminal 10connected via the network n11. The control unit 31 includes a processexecution unit 311 and a transmission control unit 313.

The process execution unit 311 receives an instruction from theinformation processing terminal 10 via the network n11 and executes afunction corresponding to this instruction to control an operation ofthe imaging unit 35. In addition, the process execution unit 311receives an operation of the operation unit 39 by the user and executesa function in associated in advance with the operation unit 39 tocontrol an operation of the imaging unit 35.

Moreover, the process execution unit 311 may switch control content ofan operation of the imaging unit 35 according to various operation modessuch as continuous photography (so-called continuous shoot), bracketphotography, and moving-image photography. In this case, for example,the process execution unit 311 may execute a function according to apreset operation mode to realize control according to the operationmode.

In addition, according to a state of the imaging device 30, the processexecution unit 311 may restrict (suppress) execution of a functionaccording to at least some of the operation modes. For example, incontinuous photography (continuous shoot), bracket photography, andmoving-image photography, a larger storage region is necessary to retainor record a series of captured images than when one still image iscaptured. Therefore, the process execution unit 311 may restrict(suppress) an operation in a mode in which a moving image or a pluralityof still images are captured, for example, in a state in which it isdifficult for the imaging device 30 to ensure a storage region equal toor greater than a pre-decided capacity. Moreover, as an example of thestate in which it is difficult for the imaging device 30 to ensure astorage region equal to or greater than the pre-decided capacity, astate in which an external recording medium is not mounted on theimaging device 30 or a state in which an empty region of a recordingmedium (for example, the storage unit 37) is not sufficient can beexemplified.

The transmission control unit 313 acquires an image (a still image, amoving image, or a through image) captured by the imaging unit 35 underthe control of the process execution unit 311 and transmits the acquiredimage to the information processing terminal 10 via the network n11. Inaddition, in the transmission control unit 313, a configuration thatacquires an image from the imaging unit 35 is equivalent to an exampleof an “acquisition unit.”

Moreover, when an operation of the imaging unit 35 is controlled in anoperation mode in which a moving image or a plurality of still imagesare captured as a series of images, the transmission control unit 313according to the present disclosure first transmits thumbnail images ofthe series of captured images to the information processing terminal 10.Then, the transmission control unit 313 transmits only at least some ofthe images instructed from the information processing terminal 10 amongthe series of images to the information processing terminal 10. Inaddition, the details of a process related to the transmission of theseries of images by the transmission control unit 313 will be describedseparately in the third embodiment.

The example of the functional configuration of the informationprocessing system 1 according to the embodiment has been described abovewith reference to FIG. 3.

[1.3. Hardware Configuration]

Next, an example of a hardware configuration of the informationprocessing terminal 10 according to the present embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating anexample of the hardware configuration of an information processingterminal 10 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the information processing terminal 10according to the present embodiment includes a processor 901, a memory903, a storage 905, an operation device 907, a display device 909, acommunication device 913, and a bus 915. In addition, the informationprocessing terminal 10 may include a notification device 911.

The processor 901 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), agraphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or asystem on chip (SoC) and executes various processes of the informationprocessing terminal 10. The processor 901 can be configured of, forexample, an electronic circuit that executes various calculationprocesses. Moreover, the above-described control unit 11 can be realizedby the processor 901.

The memory 903 includes a random access memory (RAM) and a read-onlymemory (ROM) and stores programs and data which are executed by theprocessor 901. The storage 905 can include a storage medium such as asemiconductor memory or a hard disk.

The operation device 907 has a function of generating an input signal sothat the user can execute a desired operation. The operation device 907may be configured to include, for example, an input unit such as a touchpanel, a button, or a switch through which the user inputs informationand an input control circuit which generates an input signal based on aninput by the user and supplies the input signal to the processor 901.For example, the above-described operation unit 153 can be configured ofthe operation device 907.

The display device 909 is an example of an output device and may be, forexample, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device or an organic lightemitting diode (OLED) display. In this case, the display device 909 cannotify the user of predetermined information by displaying a screen. Inaddition, the above-described display unit 151 can be configured of thedisplay device 909.

The notification device 911 may be a device that notifies the user ofpredetermined information by a lighting or blinking pattern, as in lightemitting diode (LED). In addition, the notification device 911 may be adevice that notifies the user of predetermined information by outputtinga predetermined acoustic signal, as in a speaker.

The communication device 913 is communication means included in theinformation processing terminal 10 and communicates with an externaldevice via a network. The communication device 913 is a wired orwireless communication interface. When the communication device 913 isconfigured as a wireless communication interface, the communicationdevice 913 may include a communication antenna, a radio frequency (RF)circuit, and a baseband processor.

The communication device 913 has a function of executing various kindsof signal processing on a signal received from an external device andcan supply a digital signal generated from a received analog signal tothe processor 901. Moreover, the above-described communication unit 13can be configured of the communication device 913.

The bus 915 connects the processor 901, the memory 903, the storage 905,the operation device 907, the display device 909, the notificationdevice 911, and the communication device 913 to each other. The bus 915may include a plurality of kinds of buses.

In addition, a program that causes hardware such as a processor, amemory, and a storage contained in a computer to execute the samefunctions as the configuration of the above-described informationprocessing terminal 10 can also be generated. In addition, acomputer-readable storage medium recording the program can also besupplied.

[1.4. Conclusion]

The description has been made with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 accordingto the first embodiment mainly focusing on the various configurations ofthe information system according to the present disclosure. Moreover,the details of operation screens of the information processing systemaccording to the present disclosure and processes related totransmission of images between the information processing terminal 10and the imaging device 30 will be described below according to thesecond and third embodiments.

<2. Second Embodiment>

[2.1. Overview]

Next, an example of an operation screen for capturing images in theinformation processing system 1 according to the above-described firstembodiment will be described according to the second embodiment. In thepresent embodiment, an example of an operation screen for capturing aplurality of still images as a series of images via a GUI in a so-calleddigital camera such as the imaging device 30, as in an operation via atouch panel installed as a UI on the information processing terminal 10or the like, will be described.

Accordingly, a task of the present embodiment will be first summarizedto further simplify characteristics of the operation screen according tothe present embodiment.

In an imaging device such as a so-called digital camera, the position ofa focus of an imaging optical system for imaging a subject is controlledby an autofocus function (hereinafter referred to as an “AF function” insome cases) of pushing a shutter button halfway (a so-called half-push),and then an image is captured by pushing the shutter button fully (aso-called full-push). Moreover, hereinafter, a state in which theshutter button is pushed halfway is referred to as a “half-push state”and a state in which the shutter button is pushed fully is referred toas a “full-push state” in some cases.

Here, an example of an operation screen for capturing an image in theimaging device 30 while the AF function is operated through an operationvia a GUI, as in an operation via a touch panel, will be describedexemplifying a case in which one still image is captured. For example,FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an operation screen when one stillimage is captured While an AF function in the imaging device 30 isoperated through an operation via a GUI. In the example illustrated inFIG. 5, the information processing terminal 10 causes the display unit151 to display an operation screen on which a shutter button v80 isdisplayed as an interface controlling an operation of the imaging device30.

Next, an example of an operation method of capturing an image in theimaging device 30 while the AF function is operated based on theoperation screen illustrated in FIG. 5 will be described with referenceto FIG: 6. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example ofthe operation method when one still image is captured while the AFfunction in the imaging device 30 is operated through an operation viathe GUI.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, as illustrated in the leftdrawing, when the user selects (for example, touches) the shutter buttonv80 using an operation object u11 such as a finger, the informationprocessing terminal 10 first causes the imaging device 30 to operate theAF function while the selected state is maintained (that is, theselected state is held). At this time, the imaging device 30 decides afocus position v60 in an image v70 acquired via an imaging opticalsystem or an imaging element based on a pre-decided setting of the AFfunction and controls a focus position of the imaging optical systemsuch that focusing is achieved at the focus position v60.

Then, as illustrated in the right drawing, when the user cancels theselected state of the shutter button v80 (for example, cancels theholding state), the information processing terminal 10 causes theimaging device 30 to capture a still image.

In this way, because it is difficult to realize a half-push and afull-push using a shutter button of a so-called digital camera in anoperation via a GUI, for example, a so-called holding operation isassociated with a half-push state and cancellation of the holdingoperation is associated with a full-push state.

On the other hand, when an imaging device such as a so-called digitalcamera captures a plurality of still images while the AF function isoperated (for example, in a continuous shoot mode), the AF function isoperated in a half-push state, and image capturing, that is, continuousshoot, starts when the state transitions to the full-push state. Then,the imaging device continues the started continuous shoot as long as thefull-push state is maintained and ends the continued continuous shootwith cancellation of the full-push state, that is, a change to a statein which the shutter button is not pushed. That is, in the imagingdevice, three operations, the “operation of the AF function,” the “startof the continuous shoot,” and the “end of the continuous shoot,” arerealized in accordance with three states, the “half-push state,” the“maintenance of the full-push state,” and the “cancellation of thefull-push state.”

Meanwhile, in the operation screen and the operation method illustratedin FIGS. 5 and 6, the AF function is operated by executing the holdingoperation on the shutter button v80 displayed on the display unit 151,as described above, and images are captured by cancelling the holdingoperation. That is, in the examples illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, onlytwo states, the “holding operation” and the “cancellation of the holdingoperation” on the shutter button v80, can be expressed, and thus it isdifficult to realize three operations, the “operation of the AFfunction,” the “start of the continuous shoot”, and the “end of thecontinuous shoot.”

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, examples of an operation screenfor capturing a plurality of still images as a series of images whilethe AF function in the imaging device 30 is operated through anoperation via a GUI and an operation method based on the operationscreen will be proposed. Moreover, examples of an operation screen andan operation method according to the embodiment will be described indetail below.

[2.2. Configuration of Operation Screen and Operation Method]

First, an example of an operation screen for capturing a plurality ofstill images as a series of images in the imaging device 30 while the AFfunction is operated through an operation via a GUI displayed on thedisplay unit 151 will be described as an operation screen according tothe present embodiment with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is anexplanatory diagram illustrating an example of the operation screen forcapturing a plurality of still images as a series of images while the AFfunction in the imaging device 30 is operated through the operation viathe GUI. Moreover, in the following description, the short direction ofthe display unit 151 of the information processing terminal 10 isassumed to be the x axis and the long direction thereof is assumed to bethe y axis in the description. That is, in FIG. 7, the horizontaldirection of the drawing is equivalent to the x axis and the verticaldirection of the drawing is equivalent to the y axis.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, in the case of an operation modein which a plurality of still images are captured as a series of image(for example, a continuous shoot mode), the information processingterminal 10 causes the display unit 151 to display an operation screenon which a slider v10 is displayed as an interface for controlling anoperation of the imaging device 30. The slider v10 is configured suchthat a display object v11 can be moved among a plurality of positionsset in predetermined directions on the display unit 151. For example, inthe example illustrated in FIG. 7, positions v120 and v121 are set alongthe x axis and the display object v11 is configured to be movablebetween the positions v120 and v121 along the x axis.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7, an icon v111 indicating anoperation mode (for example, a continuous shoot mode) of the imagingdevice 30 may be presented in the display object v11.

Next, an example of an operation method of capturing a plurality ofstill images as a series of images while the AF function in the imagingdevice 30 is operated based on the operation screen illustrated in FIG.7 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is an explanatorydiagram illustrating an example of the operation method when theplurality of still images are captured as the series of images while theAF function in the imaging device 30 is operated through an operationvia the GUI.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, first, as illustrated in the leftdrawing, the information processing terminal 10 does not startcontrolling an operation related to capturing of images by the imagingdevice 30 in a state in which the display object v11 is located at theposition v120. Moreover, hereinafter, the position v120 is referred toas an “initial position v120” in some cases.

As illustrated in the left drawing, when the user selects (for example,touches) the display object v11 located at the initial position v120using the operation object u11 such as a finger and the selected stateis maintained (that is, held), the information processing terminal 10causes the imaging device 30 to operate the AF function. At this time,for example, the imaging device 30 decides the focus position v60 in theimage v70 acquired via the imaging optical system and the imagingelement based on the pre-decided setting of the AF function and controlsa focus position of the imaging optical system such that focusing isachieved at the focus position v60. Moreover, a state in which theimaging device 30 executes the focus control based on the AF function inthis way is equivalent to an example of a “photography preparationstate.”

Subsequently, as illustrated in the middle drawing, when the user movesthe display object v11 of which the selected state is maintained so thatthe display object v11 is slid toward the position v121, the informationprocessing terminal 10 instructs the imaging device 30 to start anoperation based on a pre-decided operation mode (hereinafter referred toas a “predetermined operation mode” in some cases). In other words, whenthe information processing terminal 10 detects an operation of movingthe display object v11 to the position v121, the information processingterminal 10 starts controlling an operation of the imaging device 30based on the predetermined operation mode.

For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 8, an operation mode inwhich a plurality of still images are captured as a series of images(for example, a continuous shoot mode) is set as the predeterminedoperation mode. Therefore, the information processing terminal 10instructs the imaging device 30 to start capturing images in thecontinuous shoot mode. The imaging device 30 receiving the instructionfrom the information processing terminal 10 starts capturing the imagesin the continuous shoot mode and continues an operation related to thecapturing of the images until the imaging device 30 is instructed to endthe capturing of the images in the continuous shoot mode. Moreover, forexample, the operation mode may be configured to be appropriatelychanged based on an advance operation by the user.

Then, as illustrated in the right drawing, when the user moves thedisplay object v11 located at the position v121 to the initial positionv120 again, the information processing terminal 10 instructs the imagingdevice 30 to end the operation (that is, the operation of giving theinstruction to start previously) based on the continued predeterminedoperation mode. In other words, when the information processing terminal10 detects the operation of moving the display object v11 to the initialposition v120, the information processing terminal 10 ends the controlof the operation of the imaging device 30 based on the previouslystarted predetermined operation mode.

Next, an example of a display position of the slider v10 in an operationscreen displayed on the display unit 151 will be described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagramillustrating the example of the display position of the slider v10 inthe operation screen and illustrates an example of a display position ofthe slider v10 when the information processing terminal 10 is maintainedin the vertical orientation and when the information processing terminal10 is maintained in the horizontal orientation. Moreover, in the exampleillustrated in FIG. 9, the x axis indicates the short direction of thedisplay unit 151 and they axis indicates the long direction of thedisplay unit 151.

For example, the left drawing of the example illustrated in FIG. 9illustrates the information processing terminal 10 which is maintainedin the vertical orientation. Here, the state in which the informationprocessing terminal 10 is maintained in the vertical orientation refersto a state in which the information processing terminal 10 is maintainedso that the long direction (that is, the v axis) of the display unit 151is the vertical direction when viewed by the user. As illustrated in theleft drawing of FIG. 9, when the information processing terminal 10 ismaintained in the vertical orientation, for example, the slider v10 isdisplayed near the lower end of the display unit 151 so that the displayobject v11 can be moved in the right and left directions.

Similarly, the right drawing of the example illustrated in FIG. 9illustrates the information processing terminal 10 which is maintainedin the horizontal orientation. Here, the state in which the informationprocessing terminal 10 is maintained in the horizontal orientationrefers to a state in which the information processing terminal 10 ismaintained so that the short direction (that is, the x axis) of thedisplay unit 151 is the vertical direction when viewed by the user. Asillustrated in the right drawing of FIG. 9, when the informationprocessing terminal 10 is maintained in the horizontal orientation, forexample, the slider v10 is displayed near the right end of the displayunit 151 so that the display object v11 can be moved in the upward anddownward directions.

In this way, in the example illustrated in FIG. 9, when the informationprocessing terminal 10 is maintained in either the vertical orientationor the horizontal orientation, the slider v10 is displayed near any endportion in the long direction (the y axis) of the display unit 151 sothat the display object v11 can be moved in the short direction (the xaxis) of the display unit 151. In other words, for example, when theinformation processing terminal 10 is maintained in either the verticalorientation or the horizontal or the slider v10 is displayed on thedisplay unit 151 at a predetermined relative position with respect tothe display unit 151. In such a configuration, when the informationprocessing terminal 10 is maintained in either the vertical orientationor the horizontal orientation, the user can intuitively recognize thedisplay position of the slider v10.

Moreover, the example illustrated in FIG. 9 is merely an example and thedisplay position of the slider v10 is not limited. As a specificexample, when the information processing terminal 10 is maintained ineither the vertical orientation or the horizontal orientation, theslider v10 may be displayed normally in a given orientation when viewedby the user.

Next, examples of display control of the slider v10 based on a useroperation through the operation object u11 and an operation of theinformation processing terminal 10 accompanied with the display controlof the slider v10 will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11. FIGS. 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams illustratingthe examples of the display control of the slider v10 based on the useroperation and the operation of the information processing terminal 10accompanied with the display control of the slider v10.

Moreover, both FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate cases in which the displayobject v11 is operated using the operation object u11 so that thedisplay object v11 of the slider v10 is moved from the initial positionv120 to the position v121. The example illustrated in FIG. 10 shows thata movement amount of the display object v11 from the initial positionv120 is less than a pre-decided threshold. In addition, the exampleillustrated in FIG. 11 shows that a movement amount of the displayobject v11 from the initial position v11 is equal to or greater than thepre-decided threshold. Moreover, reference numeral v13 in FIGS. 10 and11 schematically denotes a boundary at which the movement amount of thedisplay object v11 from the initial position v120 is equal to or greaterthan the threshold.

For example, the left drawing illustrated in FIG. 10 illustrates a statein which the display object v11 is selected when the user touches thedisplay object v11 located at the initial position v120 for theselection using the operation object u11 such as a finger and holds thetouched state. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, as illustrated inthe middle drawing, the user moves the touched display object v11 to beslid toward the position v121 within a range in which the movementamount does not exceed the threshold, and subsequently cancels the heldstate of the display object v11. Moreover, by cancelling the held stateof the display object v11, the selected state of the display object v11is cancelled.

That is, the example illustrated in FIG. 10 shows that the selectedstate of the display object v11 located at the initial position v120 asillustrated in the left drawing of FIG. 10 is cancelled at the positionat which the movement amount from the initial position v120 is less thanthe threshold as illustrated in the middle drawing (that is, the heldstate is cancelled).

At this time, the information processing terminal 10 starts controllingan operation of the imaging device 30 based on a predetermined operationmode (for example, the continuous shoot mode) with the movement of thedisplay object v11 toward the position v121 based on the operationexecuted using the operation object u11, as illustrated in the leftdrawing and the middle drawing of FIG. 10. In other words, theinformation processing terminal 10 instructs the imaging device 30 tostart an operation (that is, the operation of giving the instruction tostart previously) based on the predetermined operation mode with themovement of the display object v11 from the position v120 to theposition v121.

Then, as illustrated in the middle drawing of FIG. 10, the informationprocessing terminal 10 continues to control the operation of the imagingdevice 30 based on the operation mode as long as the display object v11is continuously moved from the initial position v120 to the positionv121 (that is, a state in which the display object v11 is not located atthe initial position v120).

As illustrated in the middle drawing of FIG. 10, when the selected stateof the display object v11 is cancelled at a position at which themovement amount from the initial position v120 is less than thethreshold, the information processing terminal 10 moves the displayobject v11 to the initial position v120, as illustrated in the rightdrawing. At this time, the information processing terminal 10 displaysthe display object v11 of which the selected state is cancelled (thatis, the held state by the operation object u11 is cancelled) so that thedisplay object v11 is moved toward the initial position v120 in ananimated manner.

Then, the information processing terminal 10 ends the control of theoperation of the imaging device 30 based on the continued predeterminedoperation mode with the movement of the display object v11 of theinitial position v120. In other words, the information processingterminal 10 instructs the imaging device 30 to end the operation (thatis, the operation of giving the instruction to start previously) basedon the continued predetermined operation mode with the movement of thedisplay object v11 to the initial position v120.

In addition, as another example, FIG. 11 illustrates a case in which theuser moves the display object v11 to be slid toward the position v121 sothat the movement amount is equal to or greater than the threshold.Specifically, the left drawing illustrated, in FIG. 11 illustrates astate in which the user selects the display object v11 by touching thedisplay object v11 located at the initial position v120 for theselection using the operation object u11 such as a finger and holds thetouched state. In addition, in the example illustrated in FIG. 11, asillustrated in the middle drawing, the user moves the touched displayobject v11 to be slid toward the position v121 so that the movementamount is equal to or greater than the threshold, and subsequentlycancels the held state of the display object v11. Moreover, like theexample illustrated in FIG. 10, by cancelling the held state of thedisplay object v11, the selected state of the display object v11 iscancelled.

That is, the example illustrated in FIG. 11 shows that the selectedstate of the display object v11 located at the initial position v120 asillustrated in the left drawing of FIG. 11 is cancelled at the positionat which the movement amount from the initial position v120 is equal toor greater than the threshold as illustrated in the middle drawing (thatis, the held state is cancelled).

At this time, the information processing terminal 10 starts controllingan operation of the imaging device 30 based on a predetermined operationmode (for example, the continuous shoot mode) with the movement of thedisplay object v11 toward the position v121 based on the operationexecuted using the operation object u11, as illustrated in the leftdrawing and the middle drawing of FIG. 11. Moreover, as illustrated inthe middle drawing of FIG. 10, the information processing terminal 10continues to control the operation of the imaging device 30 based on theoperation mode as long as the display object v11 is continuously movedfrom the initial position v120 to the position v121 (that is, a state inwhich the display object v11 is not located at the initial positionv120). This operation is the same as that of the example illustrated inFIG. 10.

As illustrated in the middle drawing of FIG. 11, when the selected stateof the display object v11 is cancelled at a position at which themovement amount from the initial position v120 is equal to or greaterthan the threshold, the information processing terminal 10 moves thedisplay object v11 to the position v121, as illustrated in the rightdrawing. At this time, the information processing terminal 10 displaysthe display object v11 of which the selected state is cancelled (thatis, the held state by the operation object u11 is cancelled) so that thedisplay object v11 is moved toward the position v121 in an animatedmanner.

Moreover, a state in which the display object v11 moved to the positionv121 is located at the position v121 is maintained. Then, theinformation processing terminal 10 continues the control of theoperation of the imaging device 30 based on the predetermined operationmode as long as the state in which the display object v11 is located atthe position v121 is maintained, that is, a state in which the displayobject v11 is not located at the initial position v120 is continued.

Of course, when the display object v11 located at the position v121 ismoved to the initial position v120 based on an operation executed usingthe operation object u11, the information processing terminal 10 endsthe control of the operation of the imaging device 30 based on thecontinued predetermined operation mode.

Moreover, the control of the display object v11 described above withreference to FIGS. 10 and 11 is merely an example and is not necessarilylimited to the form in which the display is controlled such that thedisplay object v11 is moved, as described above. When the selected stateof the display object v11 is cancelled, irrespective of a movementamount of the display object v11, the display object v11 may bemaintained at a position at which the selected state is cancelledwithout moving the display object v11. In addition, whether to controlthe display of the display object v11, as described above with referenceto FIGS. 10 and 11, may be switched in accordance with advance settingsbased on a user operation.

The examples of the operation screens according to the presentembodiment and the examples of the operations of capturing the pluralityof still images as the series of images while the AF function in theimaging device 30 is operated based on the operation screens have beendescribed above with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. In the foregoingconfigurations, the information processing system 1 according to thepresent embodiment can separately realize three operations, the“operation of the AF function,” the “start of continuous shoot,” and the“end of the continuous shoot,” through operations via the GUI, such asoperations via the touch panel.

Moreover, as described above, the information processing system 1according to the present embodiment can separately realize threedifferent operations through operations via the GUI by presenting theabove-described slider v10 as an input interface to the user. Therefore,an application destination of the operation screen according to thepresent embodiment is not necessarily limited to only the case in whicha plurality of still images are captured as a series of images while theAF function in the imaging device 30 is operated.

As a specific example, the above-described slider v10 may be presentedto the user as an input interface when bulb photography is executed inthe imaging device 30. In this case, three operations, an “operation ofthe AF function,” “start of the bulb photography (shutter opening),” and“end of the bulb photography (end of the shutter opening),” may beallocated to operations on the above-described slider v10.

[2.3. Process]

Next, a case in which a plurality of still images are captured as aseries of images while the AF function in the imaging device 30 (thatis, the continuous shoot mode) is operated in an example of the flow ofa series of processes of the information processing system 1 accordingto the present embodiment will be described as an example with referenceto the above-described FIG. 8 and FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is an explanatorydiagram illustrating the example of the flow of a series of processes ofthe information processing system 1 according to a second embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

(Step S101)

As illustrated in the left drawing of FIG: 8, it is assumed that theuser selects (for example, touches) the display object v11 located atthe initial position v120 using the operation object u11 such as afinger and maintains the selected state. At this time, the informationprocessing terminal 10 detects an operation of holding the displayobject v11 and instructs the imaging device 30 connected via the networkn11 to control a focus position accompanied with the AF function withthe detection of the holding operation.

(Step S301)

When the information processing terminal 10 connected via the networkn11 instructs the imaging device 30 to control a focus position, theimaging device 30 decides the focus position v60 in the image v70acquired via the imaging optical system and the imaging element based onthe pre-decided setting of the AF function. Then, the imaging device 30controls the focus position of the imaging optical system such thatfocusing is achieved at the decided focus position v60 by operating theAF function.

(Step S103)

Subsequently, as illustrated in the middle drawing of FIG. 8, it isassumed that the user moves the display object v11 of which the selectedstate is maintained to be slid toward the position v121. At this time,the information processing terminal 10 detects a slide operation ofmoving the display object v11 toward the position v121 and moves thedisplay object v11 to the position v121 with the detection of the slideoperation. Then, the information processing terminal 10 instructs theimaging device 30 to start an operation based on the predeterminedoperation mode (for example, the continuous shoot mode) with themovement of the display object v11 from the initial position v120.

(Step S303)

When the information processing terminal 10 instructs the imaging device30 to start an operation based on the predetermined operation mode, theimaging device 30 starts controlling the operation of the imaging unit35 based on the operation mode. As a specific example, when theoperation mode is an operation mode in which a plurality of still imagesare captured as the series of images (for example, the continuous shootmode), the imaging device 30 causes the imaging unit 35 to sequentiallycapture the still images based on a pre-decided shutter speed. Moreover,the imaging device 30 continues the control of the operation of theimaging unit 35 based on the started predetermined operation mode untilthe imaging device 30 is instructed to end the operation based on theoperation mode.

(Step S105)

Then, as illustrated in the right drawing of FIG. 8, it is assumed thatthe user moves the display object v11 located at the position v121 tothe initial position v120 again. At this time, the informationprocessing terminal 10 detects a slide operation of moving the displayobject v11 toward the position v121 and moves the display object v11 tothe initial position v120 with the detection of the slide operation.Then, the information processing terminal 10 instructs the imagingdevice 30 to end the operation (for example, the operation of giving theinstruction to start previously) based on the continued predeterminedoperation mode with the movement of the display object v11 to theinitial position v120.

(Step S305)

When the information processing terminal 10 instructs the imaging device30 to end the operation based on the predetermined operation mode, theimaging device 30 ends the control of the operation of the imaging unit35 based on the continued operation mode. As a specific example, whenthe operation of the imaging unit 35 is controlled based on thecontinuous shoot mode, the imaging device 30 instructs the imaging unit35 sequentially imaging the still images based on the pre-decidedshutter speed to end the operation related to the capturing of the stillimages.

The case in which a plurality of still images are captured as a seriesof images while the AF function in the imaging device 30 is operated inthe example of the flow of the series of processes by the informationprocessing system 1 according to the present embodiment has beendescribed as an example with reference to FIGS. 8 and 12.

[2.4. Examples]

<<2.4.1. Example 2-1: Example of Slider>>

Next, other examples of the slider v10 according to the presentembodiment will be described in Example 2-1 with reference to FIGS. 13,14, and 15A to 15C.

For example. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sliderv10 according to the present embodiment. Moreover, when the sliderillustrated in FIG. 13 is distinguished from the slider v10 according tothe above-described embodiment, the slider is referred to as a “sliderv10 a” in some cases. In addition, in FIG. 13, the horizontal directionof the drawing is illustrated as the x axis and the vertical directionthereof is illustrated as the y axis.

For the slider v10 a illustrated in FIG: 13, an initial position v120, aposition v122, and a position v123 are set along the x axis. The displayobject v11 is configured to be movable among the initial position v120,the position v122, and the position v123 along the x axis. That is, forthe slider v10 a illustrated in FIG. 13, the plurality of positions(that is, the positions v122 and v123) are set in addition to theinitial position v120.

Mutually different operation modes are associated in advance with theother positions (that is, the positions v122 and v123) other than theinitial position v120. For example, for the slider v10 a illustrated inFIG. 13, a continuous photography mode at a low speed (hereinafterreferred to as a “low-speed continuous shoot mode” in some cases) isassociated with the position v122. In addition, a continuous photographymode at a high speed (hereinafter referred to as a “high-speedcontinuous shoot mode” in some cases) is associated with the positionv123.

In this case, according to a position which is a movement destination ofthe display object v11 based on a user operation via the operationobject u11, the information processing terminal 10 controls an operationof the imaging device 30 based on an operation mode associated with thisposition.

Specifically, when the display object v11 located at the initialposition v120 is selected using the operation object u11 and theselected state is maintained, the information processing terminal 10causes the imaging device 30 to operate the AF function.

Then, when the display object v11 of which the selected state ismaintained is moved to the position v122 through a user operation viathe operation object u11, the information processing terminal 10 startscontrolling an operation of the imaging device 30 based on the low-speedcontinuous shoot mode associated with the position v122. Then, theinformation processing terminal 10 continues the control of theoperation of the imaging device 30 based on the low-speed continuousshoot mode as long as the display object v11 is located at the positionv122.

Similarly, when the display object v11 of which the selected state ismaintained is moved to the position v123 through a user operation viathe operation object u11, the information processing terminal 10 startscontrolling an operation of the imaging device 30 based on thehigh-speed continuous shoot mode associated with the position v123.Then, the information processing terminal 10 continues the control ofthe operation of the imaging device 30 based on the high-speedcontinuous shoot mode as long as the display object v11 is located atthe position v123.

Moreover, when the display object v11 located at the position v122 orv123 is moved to the initial position v120, the information processingterminal 10 ends the continued (previously started) control of theoperation of the imaging device 30, as in the case of the application ofthe slider v10 according to the above-described embodiment.

In such a configuration, the user can operate the imaging device 30based on a desired operation mode among the plurality of pre-decidedoperation modes through an operation via a GUI, as in an operation viathe touch panel of the information processing terminal 10.

Moreover, in the example illustrated in FIG. 13, each position is set sothat both of the positions v122 and v123 are located on the same side ofthe initial position v120 (for example, to the left of the initialposition v120). However, the example illustrated in FIG. 13 is merely anexample. A relative positional relation between the initial positionv120 and the plurality of positions other than the initial position v120is not necessarily limited to the positional relation between theinitial positions 120 and the positions v122 and v123 illustrated inFIG. 13.

For example, the FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example ofthe slider v10 according to the present embodiment. Moreover, when theslider illustrated in FIG. 14 is distinguished from the slider v10according to the above-described embodiment, the slider is referred toas a “slider v10 b” in some cases. In addition, the slider v10 billustrated in FIG. 14 is illustrated as an example of an interface whenan operation related to capturing of a moving image by the imagingdevice 30 is controlled. Moreover, in FIG. 14, the horizontal directionof the drawing is illustrated as the x axis and the vertical directionthereof is illustrated as they axis, as in FIG. 13.

For the slider v10 b illustrated in FIG. 14, the initial position v120and positions v124 and v125 are set such that the positions v124 andv125 other than the initial position v120 are located on mutuallyopposite sides along the x axis using the initial position v120 as areference. Then, the display object v11 is configured to be movablebetween the initial position v120 and the positions v124 and v125 alongthe x axis.

A mode of so-called fast-forward photography (overcrank) in which amoving image is captured with the number of frames larger than thenumber of frames at the time of reproduction of a moving image isassociated with the position v124. In addition, a mode of so-calledslow-forward photography (undercrank) in which a moving image iscaptured with the number of frames smaller than the number of frames atthe time of reproduction of a moving image is associated with theposition v125. In addition, an icon v112 indicating that a moving imageis captured may be presented in the display object v11.

That is, in the example illustrated in FIG. 14, the informationprocessing terminal 10 controls an operation of the imaging device 30such that a moving image is captured with a preset default number offrames (for example, the same number of frames at the time ofreproduction when the display object v11 is located at the initialposition v120.

In addition, when the display object v11 is moved to the position v124through a user operation via the operation object u11, the informationprocessing terminal 10 starts controlling an operation of the imagingdevice 30 based on the mode of the fast-forward photography associatedwith the position v124. Then, the information processing terminal 10continues the control of the operation of the imaging device 30 based onthe mode of the fast-forward photography as long as the display objectv11 is located at the position v124.

Similarly, when the display object v11 is moved to the position v125through a user operation via the operation object u11, the informationprocessing terminal 10 starts controlling an operation of the imagingdevice 30 based on the mode of the slow-forward photography associatedwith the position v125. Then, the information processing terminal 10continues the control of the operation of the imaging device 30 based onthe mode of the slow-forward photography as long as the display objectv11 is located at the position v125.

Moreover, when the display object v11 located at the position v124 orv125 is moved to the initial position v120, the information processingterminal 10 ends the continued (previously started) control of theoperation of the imaging device 30, as in the case of the application ofthe slider v10 according to the above-described embodiment. That is, inthe example illustrated in FIG. 14, the information processing terminal10 controls the operation of the imaging device 30 such that a movingimage is captured with the preset default number of frames with themovement of the display object v11 to the initial position v120.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the relativepositional relations between the initial position v120 and the pluralityof positions other than the initial position v120 are not necessarilylimited, but may be appropriately modified according to an assumed useform.

Next, still another example of the slider v10 according to the presentembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15A. FIG. 15A is adiagram illustrating still another example of the slider v10 accordingto the present embodiment. Moreover, when the slider illustrated in FIG.15A is distinguished from the slider v10 according to theabove-described embodiment, the slider is referred to as a “slider v10c” in some cases. In addition, the slider v10 c illustrated in FIG. 15Ais illustrated as an example of an interface when an operation relatedto capturing of a plurality of still images (for example, continuousshoot) by the imaging device 30 is controlled. Moreover, in FIG. 15A,the horizontal direction of the drawing is illustrated as the x axis andthe vertical direction thereof is illustrated as they axis, as in FIGS.13 and 14.

In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 7, 13, and 14 described above, eachposition of the slider v10 is set along one predetermined axis (in otherwords, in one predetermined direction) and the display object v11 isconfigured to be movable along the one axis.

Meanwhile, for the slider v10 c illustrated in FIG. 15A, each positionof the slider v10 c is disposed along a plurality of axes and thedisplay object v11 is configured to be movable along the plurality ofaxes.

Specifically, in the example illustrated in FIG. 15A, the initialposition v120 is set as a starting point and the positions v122 and v123are disposed along the x axis. In addition, the initial position v120 isset as the starting point and positions v126 and v127 are disposed alongthey axis. The display object v11 is configured to be movable betweenthe initial position v120, the position v122, and the position v123along the x axis. In addition, the display object v11 is configured tobe movable between the initial position v120, the position v126, and theposition v127 along the y axis.

Moreover, the same operation anode as in the slider v10 a illustrated inFIG. 13 is associated with each of the positions v122 and v123. That is,a low-speed continuous shoot mode is associated with the position v122and a high-speed continuous shoot mode is associated with the positionv123. Since an operation of the information processing terminal 10 whenthe display object v11 is moved to each of the positions v122 and v123is the same as in the case of the slider v10 a illustrated in FIG. 13.the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, for the slider v10 c illustrated in FIG. 15A, each of thepositions v126 and v127 set along the y axis using the initial positionv120 as a reference is associated with an operation mode related tocontrol of a magnification ratio (zoom). That is, an operation mode inwhich a magnification ratio is shifted to a tele-side (telescopic side)is associated with the position v126. In addition, an operation mode inwhich a magnification ratio is shifted to a wide side (wide angle side)is associated with the position v127.

That is, when the display object v11 is moved to the position v126through a user operation via the operation object u11, the informationprocessing terminal 10 causes the imaging device 30 to control aposition (that is, a zoom position) of the imaging optical system suchthat the magnification ratio is shifted to the tele-side. Moreover, theinformation processing terminal 10 continues the control of theoperation related to the change in the magnification ratio of theimaging device 30 within a range in which the position of the imagingoptical system is movable as long as the display object v11 is locatedat the position v126 (that is, the imaging optical system reaches atele-end).

In addition, when the display object v11 is moved to the position v127through a user operation via the operation object u11, the informationprocessing terminal 10 causes the imaging device 30 to control aposition (that is, a zoom position) of the imaging optical system suchthat the magnification ratio is shifted to the wide side. Moreover, theinformation processing terminal 10 continues the control of theoperation related to the change in the magnification ratio of theimaging device 30 within a range in which the position of the imagingoptical system is movable as long as the display object v11 is locatedat the position v127 (that is, the imaging optical system reaches a wideend).

Moreover, when the display object v11 located at the position v126 orv127 is moved to the initial position v120, the information processingterminal 10 ends the continued (previously started) control of theoperation of the imaging device 30 as in the case of the application ofthe slider v10 according to the above-described embodiment.

As described, above in the slider v10 c, the initial position v120 and aposition other than the initial position v120 may be disposed along aplurality of axes and the display object v11 may be configured to bemovable along the plurality of axes. Moreover, in the exampleillustrated in FIG. 15A, the display object v11 is configured to bemovable along two axes, the x and y axes, but it is needless to say thatthe number of axes or the relative positional relations between the axesare not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 15A. That is, thedisplay object v11 may be configured to be movable along a plurality ofaxes equal to or greater than three axes or the number of axes orpositional relations between the axes may be appropriately changedaccording to an assumed use form.

Next, still another example of the slider v10 according to the presentembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15B. FIG. 15B is adiagram illustrating still another example of the slider v10 accordingto the present embodiment. Moreover, when the slider illustrated in FIG.15B is distinguished from the slider v10 according to theabove-described embodiment, the slider is referred to as a “slider v10d” in some cases. In addition, the slider v10 d illustrated in FIG. 15Bis illustrated as an example of an interface when an operation relatedto capturing of a plurality of still images (for example, continuousshoot) by the imaging device 30 is controlled. Moreover, in FIG. 15B,the horizontal direction of the drawing is illustrated as the x axis andthe vertical direction thereof is illustrated as they axis, as in FIGS.13, 14, and 15A.

For the slider v10 d illustrated in FIG. 15B, the initial position v120and another position v132 different from the initial position v120 areset along a curved path with a hook shape. In addition, the displayobject v11 is configured to be movable between the initial position v120and the position v132 along the curved path with the hook shape.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 15B, when the display object v11located at the initial position v120 is selected using the operationobject u11 and the selected state is maintained, the informationprocessing terminal 10 causes the imaging device 30 to operate the AFfunction.

Then, when the display object v11 of which the selected state ismaintained is moved from the initial position v120 through a useroperation via the operation object u11, the information processingterminal 10 starts controlling an operation of the imaging device 30based on the operation mode (for example, the continuous shoot mode)decided in advance.

Moreover, the user cancels the selected state of the display object v11by moving the display object v11 only in the downward direction within arange which does not exceed a position denoted by reference numeral v131and cancelling the held state of the display object v11. In this case,the information processing terminal 10 displays the display object v11of which the selected state is cancelled (that is, the held state by theoperation object u11 is cancelled) so that the display object v11 ismoved toward the initial position v120 in an animated manner.

Then, the information processing terminal 10 ends the control of theoperation of the imaging device 30 based on the continued predeterminedoperation mode with the movement of the display object v11 to theinitial position v120. In other words, the information processingterminal 10 instructs the imaging device 30 to end the operation (thatis, the operation of giving the instruction to start previously) basedon the continued predetermined operation mode (for example, thecontinuous shoot mode) with the movement of the display object v11 tothe initial position v120.

In addition, it is assumed that the user cancels the selected state ofthe display object v11 by moving the display object v11 toward theposition v131 in a downward direction, further moving the display objectv11 toward the position v132 in the left direction, and cancelling theheld state of the display object v11. In this case, the informationprocessing terminal 10 displays the display object v11 of which theselected state is cancelled (that is, the held state by the operationobject u11 is cancelled) so that the display object v11 is moved towardthe position v132 in an animated manner.

Moreover, a state in which the display object v11 moved to the positionv132 is located at the position v132 is maintained. Then, theinformation processing terminal 10 continues the control of theoperation of the imaging device 30 based on the predetermined operationmode (for example, the continuous shoot mode) as long as the state inwhich the display object v11 is located at the position v132 ismaintained, that is, a state in which the display object v11 is notlocated at the initial position v120 is continued.

Of course, when the display object v11 located at the position v132 ismoved to the initial position v120 based on an operation executed usingthe operation object u11, the information processing terminal 10 endsthe control of the operation of the imaging device 30 based on thecontinued predetermined operation mode.

As described above with reference to FIG. 15B, the initial position v120and a position other than the initial position v120 may not necessarilybe set along the predetermined axis (for example, the x axis or the yaxis) as long as the initial position v120 and the other position areset along the predetermined route. Moreover, in this case, the displayobject v11 is configured to be movable between the initial position v120and a position other than the initial position v120 along the route.

Next, still another example of the slider v10 according to the presentembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15C. FIG. 15C is adiagram illustrating still another example of the slider v10 accordingto the present embodiment, Moreover, when the slider illustrated in FIG.15C is distinguished from the slider v10 according to theabove-described embodiment, the slider is referred to as a “slider v10e” in some cases. In addition, the slider v10 e illustrated in FIG. 15Bis illustrated as an example of an interface when an operation relatedto capturing of a plurality of still images (for example, continuousshoot) by the imaging device 30 is controlled. Moreover, in FIG. 15C,the horizontal direction of the drawing is illustrated as the x axis andthe vertical direction thereof is illustrated as they axis, as in FIGS.13. 14, 15A, and 15B.

For the slider v10 e illustrated in FIG. 15C, each position of theslider v10 e is disposed along a plurality of axes and the displayobject v11 is configured to be movable along the plurality of axes, asin the slider v10 c illustrated in FIG. 15A.

Specifically, in the example illustrated in FIG. 15C, the initialposition v120 is set as a starting point and a position v135 is disposedalong the x axis. In addition, the initial position v10 is set as thestarting point and positions v133 and v134 are disposed along the yaxis. The display object v11 is configured to be movable between theinitial position v120 and the position v135 along the x axis. Inaddition, the display object v11 is configured to be movable between theinitial position v120, the position v133, and the position v134 alongthe y axis.

A so-called single shoot mode in which one still image is captured isassociated with the position v133. In addition, the continuous shootmode is associated with the positions v134 and v135.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 15C, when the display object v11located at the initial position v120 is selected using the operationobject u11 and the selected state is maintained, the informationprocessing terminal 10 causes the imaging device 30 to operate the AFfunction.

Then, when the display object v11 of which the selected state ismaintained is moved to the position v133 through a user operation viathe operation object u11, the information processing terminal 10 causesthe imaging device 30 to capture one still image based on the singleshoot mode associated with the position v133. Moreover, when the usercancels the held state of the display object v11 moved to the positionv133 (that is, the user cancels the selected state), the informationprocessing terminal 10 may display the display object v11 of which theselected state is cancelled so that the display object v11 is movedtoward the initial position v120 in an animated manner.

In addition, when the display object v11 of which the selected state ismaintained is moved to the position v134 through a user operation viathe operation object u11, the information processing terminal 10 startscontrolling an operation of the imaging device 30 based on thecontinuous shoot mode associated with the position v134. Then, theinformation processing terminal 10 continues the control of theoperation of the imaging device 30 based on the continuous shoot mode aslong as the display object v11 is located at the position v134.

Moreover, even when the user cancels the held state of the displayobject v11 moved to the position v134 (that is, the user cancels theselected state), the information processing terminal 10 maintains thestate in which the display object v11 of which the selected state iscancelled is located at the position v134.

Of course, when the display object v11 located at the position v134 ismoved to the initial position v120 based on an operation executed usingthe operation object u11, the information processing terminal 10 endsthe control of the operation of the imaging device 30 based on thecontinued continuous shoot mode.

Similarly, when the display object v11 of which the selected state ismaintained is moved to the position v135 through a user operation viathe operation object u11, the information processing terminal 10 startscontrolling an operation of the imaging device 30 based on thecontinuous shoot mode associated with the position v135. Then, theinformation processing terminal 10 continues the control of theoperation of the imaging device 30 based on the continuous shoot mode aslong as the display object v11 is located at the position v135.

On the other hand, when the user cancels the held state of the displayobject v11 moved to the position v135 (that is, the user cancels theselected state), the information processing terminal 10 displays thedisplay object v11 of which the selected state is cancelled so that thedisplay object v11 is moved toward the initial position v120 in ananimated manner.

Then, the information processing terminal 10 ends the control of theoperation of the imaging device 30 based on the continued predeterminedcontinuous shoot mode with the movement of the display object v11 to theinitial position v120. In other words, the information processingterminal 10 instructs the imaging device 30 to end the operation (thatis, the operation of giving the instruction to start previously) basedon the continued predetermined continuous shoot mode with the movementof the display object v11 to the initial position v120.

As described above with reference to FIG. 15C, the same operation modemay be associated with different positions. In addition, in this case,the information processing terminal 10 may supply a different operationform to the user according to each position as in the case in which thedisplay object v11 is moved to each of the positions v134 and v135 inFIG. 15C.

The examples of the slider v10 according to the present embodiment havebeen described in Example 2-1 with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15A to15C.

<<2.4.2. Example Cooperation with Operation Unit of Imaging Device>>

Next, an example of display control of the slider v10 by the informationprocessing terminal 10 when the operation unit 39 of the imaging device30 is operated will be described in Example 2-2.

As described above, in the information processing system 1 according tothe present embodiment, the imaging device 30 may include the operationunit 39 as an interface for operating the imaging device 30. That is, inthe information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment,the user can operate the imaging device 30 through any of an operationvia the information processing terminal 10 and an operation via theoperation unit 39.

That is, for example, the user can execute an operation such that theimaging device 30 is caused to start continuous photography (that is,continuous shoot) through an operation via the information processingterminal 10 and the imaging device 30 is caused to end the continuousphotography through an operation via the operation unit 39. Therefore,in view of such a situation, the information processing terminal 10 mayswitch a display state of the slider v10 according to an operation statewhen the operation state of the imaging device 30 is switched through anoperation via the operation unit 39 of the imaging device 30.

Accordingly, an example of display control of the slider v10 by theinformation processing terminal 10 when the operation unit 39 of theimaging device 30 is operated will be described below with reference toFIGS. 16 and 17. FIGS. 16 and 17 are explanatory diagrams illustratingexamples of an operation of an information processing terminal 10according to Example 2-2 and illustrate examples of the display controlof the slider v10 by the information processing terminal 10 when theoperation unit 39 of the imaging device 30 is operated.

First, an example of display control of the slider v10 by theinformation processing terminal 10 when the operation unit 39 isoperated during an operation in the continuous shoot (that is, duringcontinued continuous photography) by the imaging device 30 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 16. Moreover, the operation unit 39 isassumed to be an interface (for example, a shutter button) forcontrolling an operation related to capturing of images by the imagingdevice 30 in this description.

For example, the left drawing of FIG. 16 illustrates a state in which anoperation of moving the display object v11 of the slider v10 displayedon the display unit 151 to the position v121 is executed and theinformation processing terminal 10 starts controlling an operation ofthe imaging device 30 based on the continuous shoot mode. That is, theleft drawing of FIG. 16 illustrates a state in which the imaging device30 operates based on the continuous shoot mode according to aninstruction from the information processing terminal 10 (that is, astate in which the imaging unit 35 is caused to sequentially capturestill images at a pre-decided shutter speed).

In this way, it is assumed that when the operation unit 39 is operatedby the user in a state in which the imaging device 30 operates based onthe continuous shoot mode, the imaging device 30 is instructed to endthe operation based on the continuous shoot mode (that is, to end theoperation of capturing the plurality of still images), as illustrated inthe middle drawing of FIG. 16. At this time, the imaging device 30 isoperated via the operation unit 39, ends the operation based on thecontinued continuous shoot mode, and notifies the information processingterminal 10 that the operation based on the continuous shoot mode isended via the network n11.

When the imaging device 30 notifies the information processing terminal10 that the operation based on the continuous shoot mode is ended, theinformation processing terminal 10 controls display of the slider v10such that the display object v11 located at the position v121 is movedto the initial position v120, as illustrated in the right drawing ofFIG. 16. In such a configuration, when the imaging device 30 ends theoperation based on the continuous shoot mode according to an operationvia the operation unit 39, the information processing terminal 10updates the display of the slider v10 in tandem with the end of theoperation. Thus, the user can also instruct the imaging device 30 tostart an operation (that is, to start the continuous photography) basedon the continuous shoot mode again by operating the slider v10.

Next, an example of display control of the slider v10 by the informationprocessing terminal 10 when the imaging device 30 starts an operationbased on the continuous shoot mode through an operation via theoperation unit 39 will be described with reference to FIG. 17.

For example, the left drawing of FIG. 17 illustrates a state in whichthe information processing terminal 10 does not start the control of theoperation of the imaging device 30 based on the continuous shoot mode,that is, a state in which the operation related to capturing of aplurality of still images by the imaging device 30 (that is, theoperation based on the continuous shoot mode) is not started. Moreover,at this time, the display object v11 of the slider v10 displayed on thedisplay unit 151 of the information processing terminal 10 is located atthe initial position v120.

In this way, it is assumed that when the operation unit 39 is operatedby the user in a state in which the imaging device 30 does not start theoperation related to capturing the still images, as illustrated in themiddle drawing of FIG. 17, the imaging device 30 is instructed to startthe operation based on the continuous shoot mode. At this time, theimaging device 30 is operated via the operation unit 39, starts theoperation based on the continued continuous shoot mode, and notifies theinformation processing terminal 10 that the operation based on thecontinuous shoot mode via the network n11 is started.

When the imaging device 30 notifies the information processing terminal10 that the operation based on the continuous shoot mode is started, theinformation processing terminal 10 controls display of the slider v10such that the display object v11 located at the initial position v120 ismoved to the position v121. In such a configuration, when the imagingdevice 30 starts the operation based on the continuous shoot modeaccording to an operation via the operation unit 39, the informationprocessing terminal 10 updates the display of the slider v10 in tandemwith the start of the operation. Thus, the user can also instruct theimaging device 30 to end the started operation (that is, to end thecontinuous photography) based on the continuous shoot mode again byoperating the slider v10.

The example of the display control of the slider v10 by the informationprocessing terminal 10 when the operation unit 39 of the imaging device30 is operated has been described in Example 2-2. Moreover, theforegoing display control is merely an example, and a configuration anda method for realizing the control or an opportunity for the control(for example, a triggered process or operation) are not particularlylimited as long as the information processing terminal 10 can controldisplay of the slider v10 according to the operation state of theimaging device 30.

For example, the information processing terminal 10 may sequentiallymonitor operation states of the imaging device 30 and control display ofthe slider v10 according to a monitoring result.

As a specific example, the information processing terminal 10 mayrestrict (suppress) display of the slider v10 in a state in which it isdifficult for the imaging device 30 to operate in a mode in which amoving image or a plurality of still images are captured as a series ofimages. As an example of the state in which it is difficult for theimaging device 30 to operate in the mode in which a moving image or aplurality of still images are captured as a series of images, a state inwhich an external recording medium is not mounted on the imaging device30 or a state in which an empty region of a recording medium (forexample, the storage unit 37) is not sufficient can be exemplified. Insuch a configuration, when it is difficult for the imaging device 30 tooperate in the mode in which a moving image or a plurality of stillimages are captured as a series of images, the information processingterminal 10 can impose a restriction that the user may not give aninstruction of an operation in the operation mode.

[2.5. Conclusion]

As described above, the information processing terminal 10 according tothe present embodiment presents an operation screen on which the sliderv10 (for example, see FIGS. 7 and 8) is displayed as an interface foroperating the imaging device 30 to the user via the display unit 151. Atthis time, the slider v10 is configured such that the display object v11is movable in a predetermined direction between the initial positionv120 and a position v121 other than the initial position v120 set in thepredetermined direction.

In such a configuration, the information processing terminal 10 canseparately recognize three states, states in which the display objectv11 is located at the initial position v120 and the other position v121and a state in which the selected state of the display object v11 ismaintained (that is, a held state).

Therefore, for example, the information processing terminal 10 can alsoallocate the state in which the display object v11 is located at theinitial position v120 and the other position v121 to start of control ofan operation of the imaging device 30 based on the predeterminedoperation and end of the control. In addition, at this time, theinformation processing terminal 10 can also allocate the state in whichthe selected state of the display object v11 is maintained to control bywhich the imaging device 30 is caused to operate the AF function.

That is, in the information processing system 1 according to the presentembodiment, it is possible to realize the operations, the “operation ofthe AF function,” the “start of the continuous shoot,” and the “end ofthe continuous shoot,” through an operation via a GUI, for example, whenthe imaging device 30 is caused to capture a plurality of still imagesas a series of images.

Of course, an application destination of the operation screen on whichthe slider v10 according to the present embodiment is displayed is notlimited to only the case in which a plurality of still images arecaptured as a series of images (that is, the case of continuous shoot).As a specific example, an operation screen on which the slider v10 isdisplayed as an input interface when the imaging device 30 is caused toexecute bulb photography may be presented to the user. In this case,three operations, an “operation of the AF function,” “start of the bulbphotography (shutter opening),” and “end of the bulb photography (end ofthe shutter opening),” may be allocated to operations on theabove-described slider v10.

In addition, in the foregoing example, the case in which the imagingdevice 30 is operated through an operation via the touch panel has beendescribed as an example, but the present disclosure is not necessarilylimited to operations via the touch panel as long as the slider v10 isoperated using the operation object u11. As a specific example, theslider v10 may be configured to be operated using a point as theoperation object u11 by operating the pointer using an operation devicesuch as a mouse.

In addition, an application destination of the operation screen on whichthe slider v10 according to the present embodiment is displayed is notlimited to the configuration (see FIG. 1) of the information processingsystem 1 described above as long as an operation of the imaging deviceis controlled through an operation via a GUI as in an operation via thetouch panel. As a specific example, it is needless to say that it ispossible to obtain the operational advantageous effects described aboveby also applying the operation screen on which the slider v10 isdisplayed to a so-called digital camera including a touch panel.

<3. Third Embodiment>

[3.1. Overview]

Next, an example of a process when images captured by the imaging device30 are transmitted to the information processing terminal 10 will bedescribed according to a third embodiment.

When a plurality of still images are captured as a series of images, thecapacity of data of the plurality of still images captured as the seriesof images (hereinafter referred to as the “amount of data” in somecases) increases according to the number of captured still images. Onthe other hand, as in the information processing system 1 (see FIG. 1)according to the present disclosure, in a configuration in which imagesare transmitted between the imaging device 30 and the informationprocessing terminal 10 via the network n11, there is a possibility of anincrease in the amount of data of transmission target images (that is,an increase in the number of images) leading to an increase in trafficof the network n11.

For this reason, when a plurality of still images are captured by theinformation processing system 1, congestion of the network n11 occursdue to transmission of the series of images captured by the imagingdevice 30, and transmission and reception of information between theimaging device 30 and the information processing terminal 10 arecompressed in some cases.

In particular, not only images captured by the imaging device 30 butalso through images to be displayed in the information processingterminal 10 or control information for controlling an operation of theimaging device 30 from the information processing terminal 10 aretransmitted and received between the information processing terminal 10and the imaging device 30 via the network n11. For this reason, there isa request for a configuration capable of efficiently transmittingcaptured images between the information processing terminal 10 and theimaging device 30 connected via the network n11.

Accordingly, the information processing system 1 according to thepresent embodiment provides a structure for efficiently transmittingcaptured images to the information processing terminal 10 (that is, astructure for reducing traffic of the network n11) via the network n11when the imaging device 30 is caused to capture a series of images (forexample, a plurality of still images).

For example, FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overviewof the information processing system 1 according to the presentembodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates an example of theflow of an operation when a plurality of still images captured as aseries of images by the imaging device 30 are transmitted to theinformation processing terminal 10.

The left drawing of FIG. 18 illustrates a state in which the userinstructs the imaging device 30 continuously capturing images based on amode in which a plurality of still images are captured as a series ofimages (for example, the continuous shoot mode) to end the capturing ofthe images via the information processing terminal 10.

Specifically, when the user moves the display object v11 located at theposition v121 to the initial position v120, the information processingterminal 10 instructs the imaging device 30 to end the operation (forexample, an operation based on the continuous shoot mode) based on thecontinued predetermined operation mode. The imaging device 30 receivingthis instruction ends the process related to the continued capturing ofthe images and retains or records the series of captured images (thatis, the plurality of still images) on, for example, a recording mediumsuch as the storage unit 37.

When the imaging device 30 ends capturing of the series of images basedon the instruction from the information processing terminal 10, theimaging device 30 generates thumbnail images of the series of capturedimages.

Moreover, in this description, the thumbnail images indicate images thatare reduced so that the plurality of images can be viewed in one listand particularly indicate images that processed so that the amount ofdata of the captured images is further reduced. Of course, a method ofgenerating the thumbnail images is not particularly limited as long asthe amount of data is reduced. As a specific example, the imaging device30 may generate the thumbnail images by reducing the sizes (dimensions)of the images or may generate the thumbnail images by reducing theresolutions of the images.

Then, as illustrated in the middle drawing of FIG. 18, the imagingdevice 30 transmits a series of thumbnail images generated from thecaptured images to the information processing terminal 10 via thenetwork n11.

When the information processing terminal 10 acquires the series ofthumbnail images from the imaging device 30, the information processingterminal 10 causes the display unit 151 to display the acquiredthumbnail images so that each of the thumbnail images can be selected.For example, in the example illustrated in the middle drawing of FIG.18, the information processing terminal 10 causes the display unit 151to display a list v30 in which acquired thumbnail images v31 arepresented to each be selectable.

Then, the information processing terminal 10 receives selection of atleast some of the thumbnail images among the series of thumbnail imagesv31 presented via the display unit 151 from the user. For example, inthe example illustrated in the middle drawing of FIG. 18, theinformation processing terminal 10 recognizes the thumbnail imagestouched by the user using the operation object u11 such as a fingeramong the thumbnail images v31 presented in the list v30 as thethumbnail image selected by the user. Moreover, hereinafter, thethumbnail image selected by the user is referred to as a “thumbnailimage v33” in some cases.

When at least some of the thumbnail images v33 are selected among theseries of thumbnail images v31 presented via the display unit 151, theinformation processing terminal 10 instructs the imaging device 30 totransmit images v33′ corresponding to the selected thumbnail images v33,as illustrated in the right drawing of FIG. 18. The imaging device 30receiving this instruction extracts the images v33′ corresponding to thethumbnail images v33 selected by the user from the series of capturedimages (that is, the images which are generation sources of the seriesof thumbnail images) and transmits the extracted images v33′ to theinformation processing terminal 10.

Moreover, it is needless to say that the imaging device 30 generatesreduced images (for example, screen nails) of the captured images andtransmits the reduced images as the images v33′ to the informationprocessing terminal 10 when the imaging device 30 transmits the imagesv33′ corresponding to the thumbnail images v33 to the informationprocessing terminal 10.

In the foregoing configuration, in the information processing system 1according to the present embodiment, the series of images captured bythe imaging device 30 can be transmitted from the imaging device 30 tothe information processing terminal 10 with only the images selected bythe user not being reduced. Therefore, in the information processingsystem 1 according to the present embodiment, traffic between theimaging device 30 and the information processing terminal 10 is reducedmore than when all of the series of images captured by the imagingdevice 30 is transmitted to the information processing terminal 10without being reduced. That is, in the information processing system 1according to the present embodiment, the captured images can beefficiently transmitted between the imaging device 30 and theinformation processing terminal 10.

[3.2. Process]

Next, the example of the flow of the series of processes of theinformation processing system 1 according to the present embodiment willbe described focusing on the process of transmitting the images capturedby the imaging device 30 to the information processing terminal 10 withreference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating anexample of the flow of a series of processes of the informationprocessing system I according to the third embodiment.

(Step S305)

When the information processing terminal 10 instructs the imaging device30 to end the operation based on the continued predetermined operationmode (for example, the operation based on the continuous shoot mode),the imaging device 30 ends the process related to the continuedcapturing of the images and retains or records the series of capturedimages (that is, the plurality of still images) on, for example, arecording medium such as the storage unit 37.

(Step S307)

Then, when the imaging device 30 ends capturing of the series of imagesbased on the instruction from the information processing terminal 10,the imaging device 30 generates the thumbnail images of the series ofcaptured images and transmits the series of generated thumbnail imagesto the information processing terminal 10 via the network n11.

(Step S107)

When the information processing terminal 10 acquires the series ofthumbnail images from the imaging device 30, the information processingterminal 10 causes the display unit 151 to display the acquiredthumbnail images so that the thumbnail images can each be selected.

(Step S109)

The information processing terminal 10 receives selection of at leastsome of the thumbnail images among the series of thumbnail images v31presented via the display unit 151 from the user.

Then, when the information processing terminal 10 receives the selectionof at least some of the thumbnail images v33 among the series ofthumbnail images v31 presented via the display unit 151, the informationprocessing terminal 10 instructs the imaging device 30 to transmit theimages v33′ corresponding to the selected thumbnail images v33.

(Step S309)

The imaging device 30 receiving this instruction extracts the imagesv33′ corresponding to the thumbnail images v33 selected by the useramong the series of captured images (that is, the images which aregeneration sources of the series of thumbnail images) and transmits theextracted images v33′ to the information processing terminal 10.

As described above, in the information processing system I according tothe present embodiment, the imaging device 30 first generates thethumbnail images of the series of images when the imaging device 30captures the plurality of still images as the series of images based onthe predetermined operation mode such as the continuous shoot mode.Then, the imaging device 30 transmits the generated thumbnail images tothe information processing terminal 10. Thus, the user can selectdesired images among the series of images captured by the imaging device30 based on the thumbnail images presented to the display unit 151 ofthe information processing terminal 10.

Then, the imaging device 30 transmits only the images selected by theuser via the information processing terminal 10 among the series ofcaptured images to the information processing terminal 10.

In such a configuration, in the information processing system 1according to the present embodiment, the series of images captured bythe imaging device 30 can be transmitted from the imaging device 30 tothe information processing terminal 10 with only the images selected bythe user not being reduced.

Moreover, the imaging device 30 may interrupt or stop the transmissionof the thumbnail images when the imaging device 30 receives a newinstruction related to the capturing of the images from the informationprocessing terminal 10 during the transmission of the series ofgenerated thumbnail images (step S307 of FIG. 19). Moreover, when theimaging device 30 interrupts the transmission of the thumbnail images,the imaging device 30 may resume the interrupted transmission of thethumbnail images (that is, the transmission of the thumbnail imagesgenerated from the previously captured images) after completion of thecapturing of the images based on the new instruction from theinformation processing terminal 10.

Similarly, when the imaging device 30 receives a new instruction relatedto the capturing of the images from the information processing terminal10 during the transmission of the images v33′ selected by the user (stepS309 of FIG: 19) among the series of captured images via the informationprocessing terminal 10, the imaging device 30 may interrupt or stop thetransmission of the images v33′. Moreover, when the imaging device 30interrupts the transmission of the images v33′, the imaging device 30may resume the interrupted transmission of the images v33′ aftercompletion of the capturing of the images based on the new instructionfrom the information processing terminal 10.

In addition, when the information processing terminal 10 newly acquiresthe thumbnail images from the imaging device 30 during the presentationof the thumbnail images acquired from the imaging device 30, theinformation processing terminal 10 may interrupt or stop thepresentation of the previously acquired thumbnail images and may presentthe newly acquired thumbnail images to the user. Moreover, when theinformation processing terminal 10 interrupts the presentation of thepreviously acquired thumbnail images, the information processingterminal 10 may present the previously acquired thumbnail images to theuser again after completion of the presentation of the newly acquiredthumbnail images (for example, completion of selection of the images).

The example of the flow of the series of processes of the informationprocessing system I according to the present embodiment has beendescribed focusing on the process of transmitting the images captured bythe imaging device 30 to the information processing terminal 10 withreference to FIG. 19.

[3.3. Example 3]

Next, an example of a case in which a moving image captured by theimaging device 30 is transmitted to the information processing terminal10 will be described according to Example 3.

When a moving image is captured as a series of images, the amount ofdata of the moving image captured as the series of images increasesaccording to an imaging time of the moving image. For this reason, whena moving image is captured by the information processing system 1,congestion of the network n11 occurs due to transmission of the seriesof images (that is, the moving image) captured by the imaging device 30and transmission and reception of information between the imaging device30 and the information processing terminal 10 are compressed in somecases.

Accordingly, an example of a structure in which a captured moving imageis efficiently transmitted to the information processing terminal 10 viathe network n11 (that is, traffic of the network n11 is reduced) whenthe imaging device 30 is caused to capture the moving image in theinformation processing system 1 according to Example 3 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagramillustrating an overview of the information processing system 1according to Example 3.

In FIG. 20, reference numeral d10 schematically denotes a moving imagecaptured by the imaging device 30 and the horizontal direction of thedrawing represents a time axis. In addition, reference numerals d30 a tod30 d schematically illustrate a partial moving image obtained bycutting the moving image d10 along the time axis. In addition, referencenumerals d31 a to d31 d schematically illustrate some frames (that is,still images) in the moving image d10. Moreover, when moving image d30 ato d30 d are not particularly distinguished, the moving image d30 a tod30 d are simply referred to as the “moving image d30” in some cases.Similarly, when the frames d31 a to d31 d are not particularlydistinguished from each other, the frames d31 a to d31 d are simplyreferred to as “frames d31” in some cases.

The imaging device 30 according to the present embodiment retains orrecords a series of captured images (that is, the moving image d10) on,for example, a recording medium such as the storage unit 37 when theimaging device 30 ends the capturing of the moving image based on aninstruction from the information processing terminal 10.

When the imaging device 30 ends the capturing of the moving image d10based on the instruction from the information processing terminal 10,the imaging device 30 extracts a plurality of some frames from thecaptured moving image d10. In the example illustrated in FIG. 20, theimaging device 30 extracts the frames d31 a to d31 d from the movingimage d10. Then, the imaging device 30 generates thumbnail images of theextracted frames d31 a to d31 d and transmits the series of generatedthumbnail images to the information processing terminal 10 via thenetwork n11.

Moreover, the imaging device 30 may appropriately change a method ofextracting some of the frames (for example, the frames d31 a to d31 d)from the captured moving image d10 according to implementation. As aspecific example, the imaging device 30 may extract some of the framesfrom the moving image d10 for each predetermined time width. Inaddition, as another example, the imaging device 30 may analyze theframes of the moving image d10 and extract a frame for each scene usinga timing at which the scene is considerably changed as a starting point.Of course, the method of extracting the frames described above is merelyan example and the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoingexample. In addition, the imaging device 30 may combine a plurality ofmethods and extract some of the frames from the moving image d10.

When the information processing terminal 10 acquires the series ofthumbnail images from the imaging device 30, the information processingterminal 10 causes the display unit 151 to display the acquiredthumbnail images so that the thumbnail images can each be selected. Atthis time, for example, the information processing terminal 10 causesthe display unit 151 to display the list v30 presented so that theacquired thumbnail images can each be selected, as in the case of theabove-described embodiment with reference to FIG. 18. For example,reference numerals v31 a to v31 d denote thumbnail images of the framesd31 a and d31 d. Moreover, when the thumbnail images v31 a to v31 d arenot particularly distinguished from each other, the thumbnail images v31a to v31 d are simply referred to as “thumbnail images v31” in somecases.

Then, the information processing terminal 10 receives selection of atleast some of the thumbnail images among the series of thumbnail imagesv31 presented via the display unit 151 from the user. Then, when theinformation processing terminal 10 receives the selection of at leastsome of the thumbnail images v33 among the series of thumbnail imagesv31 presented via the display unit 151, the information processingterminal 10 instructs the imaging device 30 to transmit the moving imagecorresponding to the selected thumbnail images v33. Moreover, thethumbnail image v30 b among the thumbnail images v30 a to v30 d in thelist v30 is assumed to be designated in the description here.

The imaging device 30 receiving an instruction form the informationprocessing terminal 10 specifies a frame corresponding to the designatedthumbnail image v31 from the frames d31 which are generation sources ofthe series of thumbnail images v31 in the captured moving image d10.That is, when the thumbnail image v31 b is designated, the imagingdevice 30 specifies the frame d31 b which is a generation source of thethumbnail image v31 b.

Then, the imaging device 30 extracts the partial moving image d30including the specified frame d31 from the captured moving image d10.For example, when the frame d31 b is specified, the imaging device 30extracts the partial moving image d30 b including the frame d31 b fromthe captured moving image d10.

Moreover, the method of setting the time width of the moving image d30when the imaging device 30 extracts the partial moving image d30 fromthe moving image d10 is not particularly limited. As a specific example,the imaging device 30 may extract the partial moving image d30 with thepredetermined time width including the specified frame d31 from thecaptured moving image d10. In addition, as another example, the imagingdevice 30 may extract the partial moving image d30 from the specifiedframe d31 to another frame d31 adjacent to the frame d31 from thespecified frame d31. Of course, the foregoing method is merely anexample and the method is not particularly limited as long as theimaging device 30 can extract the partial moving image d30 including thespecified frame d31 from the moving image d10.

When the imaging device 30 extracts the partial moving image d30 fromthe captured moving image d10 based on the specified frame d31, theimaging device 30 transmits the partial moving image d30 to theinformation processing terminal 10 via the network n11.

In the above-described configuration, in the information processingsystem 1 according to Example 3. the moving image d10 captured by theimaging device 30 can be transmitted from the imaging device 30 to theinformation processing terminal 10 with only the partial moving imageincluding the frame d31 selected by the user not being reduced.Therefore, in the information processing system 1 according to Example3, traffic between the imaging device 30 and the information processingterminal 10 is reduced more than when all of the moving image d10captured by the imaging device 30 is transmitted to the informationprocessing terminal 10 without being reduced. That is, in theinformation processing system 1 according to Example 3, the capturedmoving image can be efficiently transmitted between the imaging device30 and the information processing terminal 10.

[3.4. Conclusion]

As described above, in the information processing system 1 according tothe present embodiment, the series of images captured by the imagingdevice 30 can be transmitted from the imaging device 30 to theinformation processing terminal 10 with only the images selected by theuser not being reduced. Therefore, in the information processing system1 according to the present embodiment, traffic between the imagingdevice 30 and the information processing terminal 10 is reduced morethan when all of the series of images captured by the imaging device 30is transmitted to the information processing terminal 10 without beingreduced. That is, in the information processing system 1 according tothe present embodiment, the captured images can be efficientlytransmitted between the imaging device 30 and the information processingterminal 10.

<4. Conlusion>

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure has/have beendescribed above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst thepresent disclosure is not limited to the above examples. A personskilled in the art may find various alterations and modifications withinthe scope of the appended claims, and it should be understood that theywill naturally come under the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Further, the effects described in this specification are merelyillustrative or exemplified effects, and are not limitative. That is,with or in the place of the above effects, the technology according tothe present disclosure may achieve other effects that are clear to thoseskilled in the art based on the description of this specification.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below

(1)

An information processing device including:

a display control unit configured to control a display unit such that aslider configured so that a display object is movable between aplurality of positions set along a predetermined axis is displayed in apart of a display screen; and

a process execution unit configured to receive an operation of movingthe display object to at least one position among the plurality ofpositions and control an operation of the imaging unit based on apre-decided operation mode.

(2)

The information processing device according to (1),

wherein the process execution unit receives an operation of moving thedisplay object from a first position which is one of the plurality ofpositions to a second position different from the first position amongthe plurality of positions, and starts control of an operation of theimaging unit based on the operation mode.

(3)

The information processing device according to (2),

wherein the process execution unit receives an operation of moving thedisplay object from the second position to the first position and endsthe started control of the operation of the imaging unit based on theoperation mode.

(4)

The information processing device according to (3),

wherein the display control unit receives an operation via a secondoperation unit for operating the imaging unit and moves the displayobject, the second operation unit being different from a first operationunit receiving an operation of moving the display object.

(5)

The information processing device according to (4),

wherein the display control unit receives an operation of starting thecontrol of the operation of the imaging unit based on the operation modevia the second operation unit, and executes control such that thedisplay object located at the first position is moved to the secondposition.

(6)

The information processing device according to (4),

wherein the display control unit receives an operation of ending thestarted control of the operation of the imaging unit based on theoperation mode via the second operation unit, and executes control suchthat the display object located at the second position is moved to thefirst position.

(7)

The information processing device according to any one of (2) to (6),

wherein the process execution unit receives an operation of maintaininga state in which the display object located at the first position isselected using an operation object and controls an operation of theimaging unit so that the imaging unit transitions to a preparation statefor capturing an image, and

the process execution unit receives an operation of moving the displayobject selected using the operation object from the first position tothe second position and causes the imaging unit to capture an imagebased on the predetermined operation mode.

(8)

The information processing device according to (7),

wherein the process execution unit causes the imaging unit transitioningto the preparation state to control a focus position of an imagingphotochemical system imaging a subject.

(9)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (8),

wherein the operation mode is set in advance based on an instructionfrom a user via an operation unit.

(10)

The information processing device according to any one of (2) to (8),

wherein the slider is configured such that the display object is movablebetween the first position and each of a plurality of the secondpositions,

each of the second positions is associated in advance with one operationmode among a plurality of the operation modes, and

the process execution unit receives an operation of moving the displayobject from the first position to one of the plurality of secondpositions and controls the operation of the imaging unit based on theoperation mode associated with the second position which is a movementdestination of the display object.

(11)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (10),

wherein the slider is configured such that the display object is movablebetween a plurality of positions disposed along a first axis and aplurality of positions disposed along a second axis different from thefirst axis, and

the process execution unit controls an operation of the imaging unitbased on mutually different operation modes between a case of receptionof an operation of moving the display object to the position disposedalong the first axis and a case of reception of an operation of movingthe display object to the position disposed along the second axis.

(12)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (11),

wherein the operation mode includes a mode in which the imaging unit iscaused to continuously capture a plurality of still images as a seriesof images.

(13)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (11),

wherein the operation mode includes a mode in which the imaging unit iscaused to execute bulb photography capable of instructing to start andend exposure.

(14)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (11),

wherein the operation mode includes a mode in which the imaging unit iscaused to capture a moving image.

(15)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (14),

wherein the process execution unit controls, via a network, an operationof the imaging unit installed in an external device connected via thenetwork.

(16)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (14),

wherein the process execution unit controls an operation of the imagingunit installed in a same casing.

(17)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (16),

wherein the display control unit receives an operation of moving thedisplay object in a direction oriented from a position among themutually adjacent positions to the other position and moves the displayobject to the position when a movement amount of the display object isless than a threshold.

(18)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (17),

wherein the display control unit controls the display of the slideraccording to an attachment or detachment state of a portable auxiliarystorage medium to or from the device, the portable auxiliary storagemedium being configured to be detachably mounted on a device thatrecords data of an image captured by the imaging unit.

(19)

A program causing a computer to execute:

controlling a display unit such that a slider configured so that adisplay object is movable between a plurality of positions set along apredetermined axis is displayed in a part of a display screen; and

receiving an operation of moving the display object to at least somepositions among the plurality of positions and controlling an operationof the imaging unit based on a pre-decided operation mode.

(20)

An information processing method including:

controlling a display unit such that a slider configured so that adisplay object is movable between a plurality of positions set along apredetermined axis is displayed in a part of a display screen; and

receiving, by a processor, an operation of moving the display object toat least one position among the plurality of positions and controllingan operation of the imaging unit based on a pre-decided operation mode.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 information processing system-   10 information processing terminal-   11 control unit-   111 process execution unit-   113 display control unit-   13 communication unit-   15 UI-   151 display unit-   153 operation unit-   30 imaging device-   31 control unit-   311 process execution unit-   313 transmission control unit-   33 communication unit-   35 imaging unit-   37 storage unit-   39 operation unit

The invention claimed is:
 1. An information processing devicecomprising: display control circuitry configured to: set a discreteplurality of predetermined positions on a display device, and controldisplay of a slider on the display device, the slider being configuredsuch that a display object is movable between the plurality ofpredetermined positions; an input device configured to receive anoperation of moving the display object from a first operation unit at afirst timing, and configured to receive an operation for operating animaging device from a second operation unit at a second timing differentfrom the first timing; wherein the first operation unit is disposed on adifferent device from the second operation unit, and wherein the displaycontrol circuitry is further configured to move the display object inresponse to the input device receiving the operation for operating theimaging device from the second operation unit; and process controlcircuitry configured to instruct the imaging device to controlphotography in a predetermined mode in accordance with the operationsreceived by the input device.
 2. The information processing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the process control circuitry receives anoperation of moving the display object from a first predeterminedposition of the plurality of predetermined positions to a secondpredetermined position of the plurality of predetermined positions, andstarts control of an operation of the imaging device based on the mode.3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein theprocess control circuitry receives an operation of moving the displayobject from the second predetermined position to the first predeterminedposition and ends the started control of the operation of the imagingdevice based on the mode.
 4. The information processing device accordingto claim 3, wherein the input device receives the operation foroperating the imaging device indicating starting the control of theoperation of the imaging device based on the mode via the secondoperation unit, and executes control such that the display objectlocated at the first predetermined position is moved to the secondpredetermined position.
 5. The information processing device accordingto claim 3, wherein the input device receives the operation foroperating the imaging device indicating ending the started control ofthe operation of the imaging device based on the mode via the secondoperation unit, and executes control such that the display objectlocated at the second predetermined position is moved to the firstpredetermined position.
 6. The information processing device accordingto claim 2, wherein the slider is configured such that the displayobject is movable between the first predetermined position and each of aplurality of the second predetermined positions, each of the secondpredetermined positions is associated in advance with one mode among aplurality of the modes, and the process control circuitry receives anoperation of moving the display object from the first predeterminedposition to one of the plurality of second predetermined positions andcontrols the operation of the imaging device based on the modeassociated with one of the plurality of second predetermined positionswhich is a movement destination of the display object.
 7. Theinformation processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processcontrol circuitry receives an operation of selecting the display objectand instructs the imaging device to transition to a photographypreparation state, and the process control circuitry receives anoperation of moving the selected display object and instructs theimaging device to capture an image based on the predetermined mode. 8.The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein thephotography preparation state is a state in which focus control isexecuted.
 9. The information processing device according to claim 1,wherein the mode is set in advance based on an instruction from a uservia the input device.
 10. The information processing device according toclaim 1, wherein the slider is configured such that the display objectis movable between a discrete first plurality of predetermined positionsdisposed along a first axis from among the plurality of predeterminedpositions, and a discrete second plurality of predetermined positionsdisposed along a second axis different from the first axis from amongthe plurality of predetermined positions, and the process controlcircuitry controls an operation of the imaging device based on mutuallydifferent modes between a case of reception of an operation of movingthe display object between the first plurality of predeterminedpositions and a case of reception of an operation of moving the displayobject between the second plurality of predetermined positions.
 11. Theinformation processing device according to claim 1, wherein the modeincludes a mode in which the imaging device is caused to continuouslycapture a plurality of still images as a series of images.
 12. Theinformation processing device according to claim 1, wherein the modeincludes a mode in which the imaging device is caused to execute bulbphotography capable of instructing to start and end exposure.
 13. Theinformation processing device according to claim 1, wherein the modeincludes a mode in which the imaging device is caused to capture amoving image.
 14. The information processing device according to claim1, wherein the process control circuitry controls, via a network, anoperation of the imaging device installed in an external deviceconnected via the network.
 15. The information processing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the process control circuitry controls anoperation of the imaging device installed in a same casing.
 16. Theinformation processing device according to claim 1, wherein the displaycontrol circuitry receives an operation of moving the display object ina direction oriented from a first predetermined position among theplurality of predetermined positions to a second predetermined positionamong the plurality of predetermined positions, and moves the displayobject to the first predetermined position when a movement amount of thedisplay object is less than a threshold.
 17. The information processingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the display control circuitrycontrols the display of the slider according to an attachment ordetachment state of a portable auxiliary storage medium to or from theinformation processing device, the portable auxiliary storage mediumbeing configured to be detachably mounted on a device that records dataof an image captured by the imaging circuitry.
 18. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing program cod that, when executed by aprocessor of a computer, causes the computer to execute operationscomprising: setting a discrete plurality of predetermined positions on adisplay device; controlling display of a slider on the display device,the slider being configured such that a display object is movablebetween the plurality of predetermined positions; receiving an operationof moving the display object via a first operation unit at a firsttiming; receiving an operation of operating an imaging device via asecond operation unit at a second timing different from the firsttiming; moving the display object in response to receiving the operationof operating the imaging device via the second operation unit; andinstructing the imaging device to control photography in a predeterminedmode in accordance with the operations received by the first operationunit and the second operation unit, wherein the first operation unit isdisposed on a different device from the second operation unit.
 19. Aninformation processing method comprising: setting a discrete pluralityof predetermined positions on a display device; controlling display of aslider on the display device, the slider being configured such at adisplay object is movable between the plurality of predeterminedpositions; receiving an operation of moving the display object via afirst operation unit at a first timing; receiving an operation ofoperating an imaging device via a second operation unit at a secondtiming different from the first timing; moving the display object inresponse to receiving the operation of operating the imaging device viathe second operation unit; and instructing, by a processor, the imagingdevice to control photography in a predetermined mode in accordance withthe operations received by the first operation unit and the secondoperation unit, wherein the first operation unit is disposed on adifferent device from the second operation unit.